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Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas cruise ship debuted in May of 2006. Measured by gross tonnage, it was then the largest cruise ship on the world's oceans. The ship's 15-passenger decks accommodate 3,634 guests and 1,300 crew members. When opting for this top-of-the-line cruise ship, get ready for an active and relaxing vacation. From the luxury spa to the refreshing water jets of the on-board water park, activities are plentiful on the Freedom of the Seas.

Packing for Freedom

One of the luxuries of traveling on a cruise ship, such as Freedom of the Seas, is that you bring your accommodations with you wherever you go. You only have to unpack once when you arrive, and this invites a larger wardrobe that you'd typically pack for a vacation.

For the Freedom of the Seas, you'll want to bring sportswear since there is an extensive Freedom Fitness Center which offers everything from basketball courts to a boxing ring and even an ice skating rink. Swimsuits are a must; some may even opt to bring wet suits to enjoy the FlowRider surfing wave, a popular on-ship attraction and the first of its kind on a cruise ship.

There are three dining classes on the Freedom of the Seas: casual, smart casual and formal. When opting for formal dining, men should don suits or tuxedos and women should wear cocktail dresses.

On-Board Water Sports

Take advantage of water sports not available on any other cruise ship. The FlowRider allows guests to surf and even boogie board on its artificially created, consistent wave. Beyond that, enjoy the recently added H2O Zone, complete with fiberglass sculptures that spray water into the air and onto guests.

Get Ready to Walk

Travelers on board the Freedom of the Seas do a lot of walking since it is such a large cruise ship. If you aren't used to doing much walking, you should prepare by going for a walk at least four times per week for a month or so before the Freedom of the Seas' departure. Bring along a comfortable pair of shoes for exploring the ship.

Tipping on the Ship

Royal Caribbean provides you with plenty of tipping options for your cruise. You can prepay all of your gratuities when you book your cruise so you won't have to worry about it for the entire trip. Tipping envelopes are also provided, if you prefer to tip in cash, extending your tangible thanks in person to those who are serving you. You can also have gratuities added to your SeaPass account.

The Royal Caribbean recommends a gratuity of $3.50 per dining room waiter for each day he serves you; daily tipping is recommended if you are paying cash. Spa tipping is up to the guest, but a 15 percent tip is added to each bar tab. A $3.50 gratuity is also the recommendation for your cabin steward each day. The recommended tipping rate per day for the assistant waiter is $2. These suggestions from Royal Caribbean are modest, and service providers always appreciate greater generosity when exceptional service is given.

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About the Author

Robin Raven was first published in 1998. She has contributed to newspapers, magazines and online publications, including "The Malibu Times," "Act'ionLine" for Friends of Animals, USA Today Travel Tips and the official Melissa Gilbert website. Raven specializes in travel, health, beauty, culture, vegan nutrition, joyful living, arts and entertainment. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in writing.

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